Jan Gerritsz Snedeker was born about 1608 and came to Nieuw Netherlands, settling in Nieuw Amsterdam) now New York City about 1639. His birth year of 1608 is derived from his age that he reported when he registered his marriage. Jan apparently apprenticed as a shoemaker in his youth, and for a time earned his living in New Amsterdam in that trade. Records show that he was a cadet when he came to the New World. His station as a cadet indicates that he was a fairly young man at the time. He must have been an industrious and public-spirited young man, for he rose in the esteem of those in authority in the colony, and was sent as a delegate from Midwout, which he helped found, to a convention in New Orange (New Orange was the name given to New York after it reverted to Dutch control in 1773) in March, 1674.

In the early years, he lived just outside the fort of Nieuw Amsterdam, on the spot where the Customs House now stands. In the month of July, 1645, Jan was granted a patent for a double lot south of the Fort in Nieuw Amsterdam, and on September 5, 1645, he was granted another lot on Pearl Street. On the double lot south of the Fort, he owned and operated a tavern and tap room (among the very first in the New World!). It is known that in 1652, Jan was living in the residence on Pearl Street prior to moving to the Midwout homestead.

Jan was one of the original patentees of Midwout -- now Flatbush -- Long Island in 1652. He was appointed Magistrate March 30, 1654 by Governeur Peiter Stuyvesant, and was one of the "Twelve Men" who were recognized by the title "Original Proprietors" in the New Netherlands. (See First Families of America page 764; also History of Flatbush, Long Island by Strong.) Part of his land was described as fronting on Flatbush Avenue, and running East for a half mile to what is now Utica Avenue.

In 1656, he petitioned for compensation for the loss of certain lots, as a result of a new layout of the village of Flatbush. The petition was granted. His will was dated December 12, 1677, and recorded in Liber "D" on pages 336/7. Only his son, Gerret, and his wife, Egbertje, are specifically named, but the will left bequests to his son's sisters.

Served in military (1632-36) under the command of Captain Maijoor

Residence (1632-36):: The Elandsgracht, Amsterdam, Holland -------------------- From the Book of Snedekers